Peculiar You •• Namjin AU

40: To The Zoo

"...Huh." Is what Namjoon can only say when he sees Jin already waiting at the bus stop.

"What?" Jin raises a brow, "I'm not always late, you know."

Namjoon can testify against that, but he chooses not to. For now he'll appreciate his efforts.

"We both know that's a lie." Namjoon scoffs in jest, walking over to offer Jin his arm. He clings to it eagerly. "You know if you're always this punctual, the teachers won't be so keen on scolding you."

Jin smiles up at him, smug. "It's a special treat only for you."

A bus arrives just in time to distract Jin, unaware of the blush spreading on Namjoon's cheeks.

Namjoon doesn't say anything as they board.

--

When they reach the zoo, Namjoon flaps open a large map comically. Jin hums in amusement and awe.

"You really brought it, huh?" He comments, fiddling with the edge of the paper idly. He took the whole planning thing as a joke, but this is Namjoon he's talking about...

Namjoon sends him a confused frown, "What do you mean by that?"

"I meant, I didn't expect you to go through with your planning."

"Planning without action is a waste."

Jin shrugs, looking over the schedule as he fondly rests his chin on Namjoon's shoulder.

"Alright then, where to first?"

"You know where." Namjoon, juts his chin somewhere north. "We're eating lunch. After that, we're starting with the bird exhibit."

--

Click.

"Jimin." Jungkook calls, phone perched between his cheek and shoulder as he hands the cashier money.

He's known the blondie enough to know that one, Jimin's going to be late, and two, it'll take him exactly an hour to come.

Just enough time to eat breakfast.

There's rustling over the other line, "I KNOW I'M SORRY I OVERSLEPT!"

Jungkook doesn't have the chance to move the phone away and accepts his fate as Jimin screams right into his ear.

He takes note of his words, though, and asks curiously. "You did?"

"What? I mean--I meant--" Jimin panics and Jungkook hears the blankets being flung off. "I'm about to leave the house now!"

Jungkook takes his tray of food with a quiet thank you and walks back to his chair. He expected this already. "Sure." He mutters nonchalantly. "I was just about to ask where you wanted to meet up."

"Oh." Jimin sighs in relief, "So you're not there yet?"

"I am."

There's a clatter of something falling down the floor, followed by frantic footsteps. "Wait for me, Kookie!!"

"Wait--!"

With a click, Jimin's frantic voice is cut off. Jungkook is left to stare at a black screen.

"You still didn't tell me where to..." Jungkook mutters to himself, chewing a fry.

---

"It looks like you." Jin snickers beside him, pointing at one of the bird enclosures with a smirk.

When Namjoon turns to look, he comes face to face with a spectacled owl, looking down at them from it's perch on a branch. He unconsciously runs a hand on the rim of his glasses, pondering. 

"Is it because of my glasses?" He asks curiously. 

"That and it has the same glare as you."

Right as Jin says this, the owl decides squints its eyes. Namjoon huffs. It kinda does have the same glare, not that he's going to admit it.

Jin grins, happy.

"See?"

--

"I'm so sorry Kookie!" Jimin whines, holding a tray with two sundaes and a bucket of fries. "I bought you an extra sundae as an apology!"

"It's Jungkook." Jungkook reprimands not so seriously. "And I already told you. I didn't mind."

Jimin dramatically flops down on his heat and sighs, "I kept you waiting for about a hour under the sun." He wipes a fake tear as Jungkook snorts in exasperation.

"I was inside. With air conditioning."

Jimin glares petulantly.

"...Do you want the ice cream or not?"

Jungkook shrugs and takes the dessert with a grin.

--

There's a hard tug to his arm and Namjoon frowns down at Jin again.

"Don't do that. The floor's pretty slippery in here." He mutters chidingly, nudging Jin back. "We'll slip."

Jin ignores him and points at the penguin exhibit, eyes sparkling. "I changed my mind, this one looks like you!"

Namjoon follows his line of sight and finds a whole clan of southern rock hopper penguins huddling together. 

He looks back down at Jin, expressionless.

"I'm halfway to ditching and leaving you here, Jin."

Jin doesn't stop giggling to himself as they walk through the crowd, keeping a steady grip on Namjoon's arm.

"You know you're free to tease me back, you know?" Jin says out of the blue while they're watching seals undulate around. He's resorted to putting his hand in Namjoon's pockets, trying to warm himself. "I'm just trying to get you riled up. Go ahead and point me to an ugly bird."

Namjoon purses his lips, conflicted. "...I can't."

"Hm? Why not?"

"Well." Namjoon starts, averting his eyes. "You're not exactly ugly, aren't you?"

"Ah." Jin hums, mildly flattered and very embarrassed. "Is that so."

They remain silent for the rest of their sight-seeing in the arctic exhibit. It's only when they reach the gift shop that Jin says anything.

"Namjoonie." He calls, curiously inspecting a penguin plushie.

"What?"

"Did that compliment mean you're finally falling for my charms?"

Namjoon ruffles Jin's hair in spite, ignoring his whines and protests.